Streamline Container For A Van

ABSTRACT

A streamline container for a van, comprises a base frame, two side panels and a front end panel mounted on the base frame via floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on the two side panels and the front end panel via roof bows. At the outside of the roof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow. The angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected with the roof bow. In the present invention, due to the streamline angle-wrapping component, it is possible to effectively shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the wind resistance during the running of the van and help to reduce the energy consumption of the van.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container structure for a van.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIG. 1, a container structure for a van includes a baseframe 1, two side panels 2, a front end panel 3, a rear end panel with arear door, and a roof sheet 4 which are mounted onto the periphery ofthe base frame 1. Currently, the outside corners for connection betweentwo side panels 2 and the roof sheet 4 and the base frame 1 are mostlyright-angled, or provided with flanges for riveting which locally form awind-catching structure. As a result, the van suffers from a large windresistance during running

As shown in FIG. 2, in a traditional container for a van, the side panel2 is connected with the roof sheet 4 by a single roof bow 5. The roofbow 5 is right-angled, with its vertical edge being connected with theouter side panel 21 of the side panel 2, and its horizontal edge beingconnected with the roof sheet reinforcing rib 42 of the roof sheet 4.The horizontal edge is provided with an L-shaped flange which is used tobe riveted with the outer roof sheet 41 of the roof sheet 4. TheL-shaped flange forms a wind-catching structure which increases the windresistance during the running of the van.

As shown in FIG. 3, in another traditional container for a van, theconnection structure between the side panel 2 and the roof sheet 4includes an outer roof bow 52 and an inner roof bow 51. In this case,the inner roof bow 51 is right-angled, and is riveted with the sidepanel reinforcing rib 22 and the roof sheet reinforcing rib 42. Theouter roof bow 52 is right-angled and connects the outer side panel 21and the outer roof sheet 41. To facilitate the fabrication of theright-angled outer roof bow 52, the joint for two edges of the outerroof bow 52 has a circular arc angle. Such a connection structure canalso be applied to the connection between the roof sheet and the frontand/or rear end panel. Compared with the single roof bow 5 describedabove, the connection structure shown in FIG. 3 reduces the windresistance during running of the van, because the outer roof bow 52 isnot provided with a flange. However, since the circular arc angle forthe outer roof bow 52 is too small to shunt the airflow and reduce thewind resistance, the van still suffers from a large wind resistanceduring running.

As shown in FIG. 4, in a traditional container for a van, the connectionstructure between the side panel 2 and the base frame 1 includes aflat-shaped floor bearer 6 connecting the outer side panel 21 and theouter surface of the base frame 1. At the middle of the floor bearer 6,an auxiliary connecting plate 61 is provided for being connected ontothe base frame 1. Such a connection structure can also be applied to theconnection between the front/rear end panel and the base frame. Thefloor bearer 6 is flat-shaped and can not shunt the airflow and reducethe wind resistance. As a result, the van suffers from a large windresistance during running.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the drawbacks in the prior art, it is an object of thepresent invention to provide a streamline container for a van with asmall wind resistance during the running of the van.

The following solution is adapted in the present invention to achievethe above object.

The streamline container for a van according to the present inventionincludes a base frame, two side panels and a front end panel mounted onthe base frame via floor bearers, and a roof sheet mounted on the twoside panels and the front end panel via roof bows. At the outside of theroof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrapping componentprotruding outwards for shunting the airflow. The angle-wrappingcomponent is smoothly and transitionally connected with the roof bow.

A side floor bearer of the floor bearers serves to connect the sidepanel and the base frame, an outside of the side floor bearer isprovided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwardsfor shunting the airflow, and the angle-wrapping component is smoothlyand transitionally connected with the side floor bearer.

A front floor bearer of the floor bearers serves to connect the frontend panel and the base frame, an outside of the front floor bearer isprovided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwardsfor shunting the airflow, and the angle-wrapping component is smoothlyand transitionally connected with the front floor bearer.

Both ends of the angle-wrapping component are riveted, adhered, ordetachably connected to the outside of the roof bow or the front/sidefloor bearer.

A portion on the roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of theroof sheet is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, aportion on the roof bow for connecting the outer side panel of the sidepanel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and bothends of the angle-wrapping component are engaged into the two clampingslots.

A portion on the floor bearer for connecting the base frame is providedwith a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on the floorbearer for connecting the outer side panel of the side panel is providedwith a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and both ends of theangle-wrapping component are engaged into the two clamping slots.

The angle-wrapping component is provided with engaging parts at bothends respectively, the engaging parts protrude inwards and have L-shapedcross sections, a portion of the engaging part is stuck to the openingof the clamping slot, the other portion perpendicular thereto extendsinto the clamping slot and attaches onto the inner surface of one slotwall, and the outer surface of the slot wall is smoothly andtransitionally connected with the outer surface of the angle-wrappingcomponent.

The angle-wrapping component is a circular arc surface with a radius notless than 40 mm.

The angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circulararc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surfaces withinvolute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.

The roof bow has a vertical edge for connecting the outer side panel ofthe side panel or an outer front panel of the front end panel and ahorizontal edge for connecting the outer roof sheet of the roof sheet,and the two clamping slots are provided at an upper end of the verticaledge and an outer end of the horizontal edge, respectively.

The floor bearer has two vertical edges and a horizontal edge forconnecting the two vertical edges. A lower vertical edge is connectedwith the base frame, and an upper vertical edge is connected with theouter side panel of the side panel. The two clamping slots are providedat a lower end of the lower vertical edge and a bending position of theupper vertical edge and the horizontal edge, respectively.

The space between the angle-wrapping component and the roof bow and thefloor bearer is filled with foam.

The streamline container for a van according to the present inventionhas the following advantages and effects. According to the presentinvention, the outside of the roof bow for connecting the roof sheet andeach of the side panel, the front end panel and the rear end panel isprovided with a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwardsfor shunting the airflow, and the angle-wrapping component is smoothlyand transitionally connected with the roof bow, so that it is possibleto effectively shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the windresistance during the running of the van and help to reduce the energyconsumption of the van.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionof preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container structure for a van in theprior art;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1, showing aconnection structure between the side panel and the roof sheet for a vanin the prior art;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line A-A in FIG. 1, showinganother connection structure between the side panel and the roof sheetfor a van in the prior art;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line B-B in FIG. 1, showing aconnection structure between the side panel and the base frame for a vanin the prior art;

FIG. 5 shows the structure of a roof bow and an angle-wrapping componentfor connecting the side panel and the roof sheet in a streamlinecontainer for a van according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 shows the structure of a floor bearer and an angle-wrappingcomponent for connecting the side panel and the base frame in astreamline container for a van according to the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the airflow shunted by theangle-wrapping component in a streamline container for a van accordingto the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailsthereafter. It should be noted that the embodiments described herein areintended to illustrate but not limit the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the streamline container for a vanaccording to the present invention includes a base frame 1, two sidepanels 2 and a front end panel 3 mounted onto the periphery of the baseframe 1 via floor bearers, a roof sheet 4 mounted on the two side panels2 and the front end panel 3 via roof bows, and a rear door (not shown).

The roof bows include two side roof bows 7 for connecting the roof sheet4 and the two side panels 2 respectively, and a front roof bow forconnecting the roof sheet 4 and the front end panel 3. The floor bearersinclude two side floor bearers for connecting the two side panels 2 andthe base frame 1 respectively, and a front floor bearer for connectingthe front end panel 3 and the base frame 1. The top of the containersuffers from the largest wind resistance when the van is running.Accordingly, in the present invention, at the outside of the front roofbow and the side roof bow, there is provided a streamline angle-wrappingcomponent protruding outwards for shunting the airflow. Furthermore, theangle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected witheach roof bow. To further reduce the wind resistance, it is alsopossible to provide at the outside of the side floor bearer a streamlineangle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow,and this angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionallyconnected the side floor bearer. In addition, it is possible to provideat the outside of the front floor bearer a streamline angle-wrappingcomponent protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and thisangle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected withthe front floor bearer. Although the front side beam is relatively closeto the cab, not only can the wind resistance be reduced by providing theangle-wrapping component, but the container of the present invention isformed into an integral entirety and has a beautiful appearance. Bothends of each angle-wrapping component described above can be detachablymounted on the outside of the roof bow, the front floor bearer or theside floor bearer by lapping and then riveting, adhesion or plug-inconnection.

As shown in FIG. 5, in the streamline container for a van of the presentinvention, the side roof bow 7 has a vertical edge 8 for connecting theouter side panel 21 of the side panel 2 and a horizontal edge 9 forconnecting the outer roof sheet 41 of the roof sheet 4. A clamping slot81 is provided at the upper end of the vertical edge 8, and a clampingslot 91 is provided at the outer end of the horizontal edge 9.

The angle-wrapping component 10 has a circular arc surface with a radiusof 50 mm. However, the radius of the circular arc surface is not limitedto 50 mm, and is generally not less than 40 mm, as long as the circulararc surface can effectively shunt the airflow. Both ends of theangle-wrapping component 10 are engaged into the clamping slot 91 of thehorizontal edge 9 and the clamping slot 81 of the vertical edge roof bow8. The angle-wrapping component 10 is provided with clamping parts 14 atboth ends therof. The clamping parts 14 protrude inwards and haveL-shaped cross sections. A portion of the clamping part 14 is stuck tothe opening of the clamping slot 91 or 81, and the other portionperpendicular thereto extends into the clamping slot 91 or 81 andattaches onto the inner surface of a slot wall. Besides, the outersurface of the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected withthe outer surface of the angle-wrapping component, so that the windresistance during the running of van can be further decreasedmicroscopically.

In the present invention, the side roof bow 7 can also be formed into adetachable two- or multiple-body structure. As long as clamping slotsfor accommodating the angle-wrapping component are provided in the sideroof bow 7 at the outer end of a portion for connecting the outer roofsheet 41 and at a portion for connecting the outer side panel 21, theangle-wrapping component can be mounted by plug-in connection. In casethat the angle-wrapping component is mounted onto the side roof bow 7 byadhesion, or lapping and then riveting, and the like, it is notnecessary to provide the clamping slot. In the present invention, theangle-wrapping component may be mounted on the front roof bow in thesame way as the angle-wrapping component is mounted on the side roof bow7, which is not described here for clarity.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the streamline container for a van according tothe present invention, the side floor bearer 11 has two vertical edgesand a horizontal edge for connecting these two vertical edges. The lowervertical edge is connected with the base frame 1, and is provided with aclamping slot 13 at the outside of the lower end; and the upper verticaledge is connected with the outer side panel 21 of the side panel 2, andis provided with a clamping slot 12 at the bending position connectingthe vertical edge with the horizontal edge.

The angle-wrapping component 10 is made up of two circular arc surfaceswith different radius which are connected smoothly and transitionally.The upper end of the angle-wrapping component 10 is provided with aclamping part 14. The clamping part 14 protrudes inwards and has anL-shaped cross section. A portion of the clamping part 14 extends intothe clamping slot 12, and the other portion perpendicular thereto isstuck to a slot wall of the opening for the clamping slot 12. The outersurface of the slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected withthe outer surface of the angle-wrapping component 10, so that the windresistance during the running of van can be further decreased.

Similarly, the side floor bearer 11 according to the present inventioncan also be formed into a two-body structure or other suitable forms. Aslong as clamping slots for accommodating the angle-wrapping componentare provided in the side floor bearer 11 at a portion for connecting theouter side panel 21 and at a portion for connecting the base frame 1,the angle-wrapping component can be mounted by plug-in connection. Incase that the angle-wrapping component is mounted onto the side floorbearer 11 by adhesion, lapping and then riveting, and the like, it isnot necessary to provide the clamping slot. In the present invention,the angle-wrapping component may be mounted on the front floor bearer inthe same way as the angle-wrapping component is mounted on the sidefloor bearer, which is not described here for clarity.

In the streamline container for a van according to the presentinvention, the angle-wrapping component 10 is not limited to the formsdescribed above, but can be made up of circular arc surfaces, involutesurfaces and the like which are tangent and connected with each othersmoothly and transitionally, as long as it can shunt the airflow so asto decrease the wind resistance during the transport of the van.

In the present invention, the space between the angle-wrapping componentand the roof bow and floor bearer can also be filled with foam so as toincrease the strength of the angle-wrapping component; otherwise it isnot filled with foam but used for wiring to make the container morebeautiful. In addition, the angle-wrapping component 10 is connectedwith the roof bow or the floor bearer by plug-in connection, so thatwhen the roof bow or the floor bearer is partially damaged or suffersfrom wiring failure, the angle-wrapping component can be dismountedconveniently for repair or replacement.

In the streamline container for a van according to the presentinvention, the angle-wrapping component can also be mounted on the reardoor corner column and the corner column connecting the front end paneland side panel, respectively. Each angle-wrapping component may bemounted on the corner column in the same way as it is mounted on theroof bow and the floor bearer, and the angle-wrapping component can bedetachably connected by riveting, adhesion or plug-in connection.

As shown in FIG. 7, in the streamline container for a van according tothe present invention, streamline angle-wrapping components protrudingoutwards are provided not only at the outside of the roof bow connectingthe roof sheet and the side panel as well as the front end panel, butalso at the outside of the floor bearer connecting the base frame andthe side panel as well as the front end panel, and the outer surface ofthe angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connectedwith the outer surface of the container, so that it is possible toeffectively shunt the airflow, significantly decrease the windresistance during the running of the van and help to reduce the energyconsumption of the van.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain embodiments, it will be understood that the terms hereinillustrate rather than limit the present invention. The presentinvention can be practiced in many particular embodiments withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and thusit will be appreciated that the above embodiments should not be limitedto any details described above, but should be interpreted broadly withthe spirit and scope defined by the appended claims. The appended claimsintend to cover all the modifications and changes falling within thescope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

1. A streamline container for a van, comprising: a base frame, two sidepanels and a front end panel mounted onto said base frame via floorbearers, and a roof sheet mounted on said two side panels and said frontend panel via roof bows, wherein at the outside of said roof bows, thereis provided a streamline angle-wrapping component protruding outwardsfor shunting the airflow, said angle-wrapping component being smoothlyand transitionally connected with said roof bow.
 2. The streamlinecontainer for a van according to claim 1, wherein a side floor bearer ofsaid floor bearers connects said side panel and said base frame, anoutside of said side floor bearer is provided with a streamlineangle-wrapping component protruding outwards for shunting the airflow,and said angle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionallyconnected with said side floor bearer.
 3. The streamline container for avan according to claim 2, wherein a front floor bearer of said floorbearers connects said front end panel and said base frame, an outside ofsaid front floor bearer is provided with a streamline angle-wrappingcomponent protruding outwards for shunting the airflow, and saidangle-wrapping component is smoothly and transitionally connected withsaid front floor bearer.
 4. The streamline container for a van accordingto claim 3, wherein both ends of the angle-wrapping component are lappedand then riveted, adhered or detachably connected to the outside of saidroof bow or said front/side floor bearer.
 5. The streamline containerfor a van according to claim 1, wherein a portion on said roof bow forconnecting the outer side panel of said roof sheet is provided with aclamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion on said roof bow forconnecting the outer side panel of said side panel is provided with aclamping slot at the outside thereof, and both ends of saidangle-wrapping component are engaged into said two clamping slots,respectively.
 6. The streamline container for a van according to claim3, wherein a portion on said floor bearer for connecting said base frameis provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, a portion onsaid floor bearer for connecting said outer side panel of said sidepanel is provided with a clamping slot at the outside thereof, and bothends of said angle-wrapping component are engaged into said two clampingslots, respectively.
 7. The streamline container for a van according toclaim 5, wherein said angle-wrapping component is provided with clampingparts at both ends respectively, said clamping parts protrude inwardsand have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of the clamping part isstuck to the opening of said clamping slot, the other portionperpendicular thereto extends into said clamping slot and attaches ontothe inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surface of said slotwall is smoothly and transitionally connected with the outer surface ofsaid angle-wrapping component.
 8. The streamline container for a vanaccording to claim 6, wherein said angle-wrapping component is providedwith clamping parts at both ends respectively, said clamping partsprotrude inwards and have L-shaped cross sections, a portion of theclamping part is stuck to the opening of said clamping slot, the otherportion perpendicular thereto extends into said clamping slot andattaches onto the inner surface of one slot wall, and the outer surfaceof said slot wall is smoothly and transitionally connected with theouter surface of said angle-wrapping component.
 9. The streamlinecontainer for a van according to claim 1, wherein said angle-wrappingcomponent is a circular arc surface with a radius not less than 40 mm.10. The streamline container for a van according to claim 1, whereinsaid angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circulararc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface withinvolute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.
 11. The streamlinecontainer for a van according to claim 2, wherein said angle-wrappingcomponent is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or byconnecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfacessmoothly and transitionally.
 12. The streamline container for a vanaccording to claim 3, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed byconnecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least onecircular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.13. The streamline container for a van according to claim 4, whereinsaid angle-wrapping component is formed by connecting multiple circulararc surfaces or by connecting at least one circular arc surface withinvolute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.
 14. The streamlinecontainer for a van according to claim 5, wherein said angle-wrappingcomponent is formed by connecting multiple circular arc surfaces or byconnecting at least one circular arc surface with involute surfacessmoothly and transitionally.
 15. The streamline container for a vanaccording to claim 6, wherein said angle-wrapping component is formed byconnecting multiple circular arc surfaces or by connecting at least onecircular arc surface with involute surfaces smoothly and transitionally.16. The streamline container for a van according to claim 5, whereinsaid roof bow has a vertical edge for connecting the outer side panel ofsaid side panel or an outer front panel of said front end panel and ahorizontal edge for connecting the outer roof sheet of said roof sheet,and said two clamping slots are provided at an upper end of saidvertical edge and an outer end of said horizontal edge, respectively.17. The streamline container for a van according to claim 6, whereinsaid floor bearer has two vertical edges and a horizontal edge forconnecting said two vertical edges, wherein the lower vertical edge isconnected with said base frame, the upper vertical edge is connectedwith said outer side panel of said side panel, and said two clampingslots are provided at a lower end of said lower vertical edge and abending position connecting said upper vertical edge with saidhorizontal edge, respectively.
 18. The streamline container for a vanaccording to claim 1, wherein a space between said angle-wrappingcomponent and said roof bow and said floor bearer is filled with foam.